Entertainment News

Keith Urban is returning to 'American Idol'

(Yahoo!) - Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj were one-and-done judges on "American Idol," and Randy Jackson left the show last year after a dozen seasons. But at least there will be one familiar face on "Idol" next year: It has just been announced that Keith Urban, who joined the panel alongside Mariah and Nicki in Season 12, will indeed be coming back to "Idol."

"I will confirm that Keith is returning to show," Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment for the Fox Broadcasting Company, revealed at Fox's Television Critics Association panel on Thursday morning. "Keith did great job last year. Fans really loved him. Keith's a really funny guy. He didn't get to shine last year."

This announcement might come as a surprise to fans who've been following "Idol" gossip — that Keith would be fired from the show (as Mariah and Nicki rumoredly were); that the panel would be replaced with all "Idol" alums likeKelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, and Adam Lambert; that Jennifer Lopez might return; that will.i.am or Pharrell Williams might come on board; that Fox might go with lesser-known names like alt-country darling Grace Potter or uber-producer Dr. Luke. And all of that is still up for discussion. ("All of the names you read about have been considered," Reilly told reporters, though he added, "There is no deal with [Jennifer Lopez] or anyone else.")